PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you so much for this honor.
I accept the Star of Romania on behalf of my country, and I appreciate
the spirit of friendship that this award represents.

I want to thank the Prime Minister and members of your government
for such fine hospitality. Laura and I are honored to be here, and so
is my Cabinet, members of my Cabinet, as well as senior members of my
staff. We're here because America and the nations of the world have
seen the courage and character of the Romanian people. You have
liberated yourselves from tyranny. You're building a vibrant
democracy. And you're preparing to join NATO. In all these events of
history, America has been your friend, and we'll be proud to call you
ally.

Mr. President, Romania and America share common values and common
challenges. We will join together to open markets, to build a new
relationship with Russia, to confront global terrorism, and to stop the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Europe and America face
unprecedented dangers to our security, and we will face these dangers
together.

The Romanian people have made a great effort to meet the standards
of NATO membership. That effort is succeeding. America respects all
that you have done and all that you will do in the cause of freedom.
And America will be your partner in continuing the work of reform.

On behalf of the American people, I proudly affirm the close
relationship between our countries, and I thank you for the honor of
this award. May God bless Romania. (Applause.)